Pontiac LeMans T-37, Project LeManiac
 

LeManiac is the working title. Got the car in the shop yesterday, as you can see in the into section, and started tearing it apart and emptying the shell. The front clip is off. There are a few bits left of the interior, but it's pretty much out of there. I also pulled the engine and transmission this morning, and swapped for the LS1. I now have a completely rebuilt TH350 (I think) with a 2400 stall if anyone needs one.

I had a time of maneuvering that big car in the shop and positioning the engine hoist, etc. to test the engine fit. Hopefully tomorrow I can bolt up the T-56 to the LS1 and start to see where my issues are.

On to the pics!

It fits better sidways in my shop, anyway.

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It's at roughtly the height of the engine mounts I had for the Chevy 350. Plenty of room!

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:woot:

The floor and trunk pans were cut out and the previous owner (poorly) welded in complete new ones. The car sat outside for a week, and of course, got rained on. This will all be sanded off, ground down, and re-welded as soon as my new welder and new compressor get here. Of course, I'm still trying to decide on a new welder and compressor....:willy:

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Supplied with the car is a complete Painless A-Body 18 circuit wiring kit. Awesome! I have most, if not all, the front drive accessories for the LS1, too. All I need to find to get that motor complete are the coils and some headers!

Hey boss, I think we got some clearance issues...
 

I'm going to need a bigger hammer....

As you can see, there are some clearance issues jamming a T-56 into an automatic 1971 Le Mans...

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Ok guys, who in here has shoehorned a T56 into a 71 automatic on the column A-Body? I'm definately going to have to do some cutting, chopping, and welding, but if anyone has some pointers, I'd apprecaite it.

Also, it looks like that F-body oil pan is going to give me fits about fitting. Any words of wisdom, there? Channeling the crossmember?

I am not sure were I saw it but I believe what most have done is cut the tunel around were the trans hits the floor and raise it up about 1 inch by adding a strip of metal. Not saying its the best way but if you dont have a roller and dont know how to fab up a new tunnel I guess it would get the job done.

Someone replied to my thread!!! :willy:

:rofl:

Luckily, the kids who (poorly) welded in the replacement floorpans, well, they just overlapped them to the cut tunnel by about 2-3", so I have plenty of preformed metal to work with. I just need to carefully cut it out and patch it back in. :unibrow:

I'm way more concerned about what I'm going to do to the rear of the frame to get the Independent rear installed...

..............need Trans................
 

.............HEY IS THE TRANSMISSION STILL FOR SALE GOT A 73 454 IN A 71 CAMARO .......WHAT WOULD YOU WANT FOR IT AND THE CONVERTOR......WAS GOING TO DO A 700r but if the deal is good i may use yours for the time being

thanks
jeff

The new rear suspension gets picked up tomorrow! :willy:

I hope to be able to pull out the old one and mock it up for all to see beforeI have to fly out again thursday evening. 2 x :willy:

What rear suspension are you planning on using?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill